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ATI Mental Health Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
Pdf
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Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has major depressive disorder. Which finding
should the nurse identify as the priority?
A. Reports sleeping 10 hr each night
B. Reports decreased appetite
C. States, “My family would be better off without me.”
D. Reports difficulty concentrating
Answer: States, “My family would be better off without me.”
Rationale: This statement indicates possible suicidal ideation and requires
immediate assessment of suicide risk and implementation of safety precautions.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Encourage the client to discuss the cause of the anxiety
B. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements
C. Ask the client to identify coping mechanisms
D. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
,Answer: Remain with the client and use short, simple statements
Rationale: During severe anxiety or panic, the client has difficulty processing
information. Remaining with the client provides safety while simple
communication reduces stimulation.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and reports hearing voices.
Which response should the nurse make?
A. “The voices are not real.”
B. “Why do you think you are hearing voices?”
C. “I understand that you hear voices, but I do not hear them.”
D. “You should try to ignore the voices.”
Answer: “I understand that you hear voices, but I do not hear them.”
Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the client's experience without
validating the hallucination as reality.
Question 4
A client who has bipolar disorder is experiencing acute mania. Which intervention
is appropriate?
A. Provide a highly stimulating environment
B. Encourage lengthy group discussions
C. Provide frequent high-calorie finger foods
D. Encourage the client to take daytime naps
Answer: Provide frequent high-calorie finger foods
Rationale: Clients experiencing mania are often too distracted or active to sit for
meals. Portable, high-calorie foods help meet nutritional needs.
Question 5
,A nurse is assessing a client who has generalized anxiety disorder. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Excessive worry about multiple areas of life
B. Recurrent flashbacks of a traumatic event
C. Periods of elevated mood and grandiosity
D. Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
Answer: Excessive worry about multiple areas of life
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and
difficult-to-control worry about multiple activities or events.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder. Which
behavior is characteristic of this disorder?
A. Hearing voices commenting on behavior
B. Repeated handwashing because of fear of contamination
C. Avoiding all social interactions because of suspiciousness
D. Experiencing flashbacks after trauma
Answer: Repeated handwashing because of fear of contamination
Rationale: Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, while compulsions are repetitive
behaviors performed to reduce anxiety associated with those thoughts.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a client who has post-traumatic stress disorder. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Nightmares related to a traumatic event
B. Persistent elevated mood
C. Excessive need for sleep
D. Disorganized speech without trauma history
, Answer: Nightmares related to a traumatic event
Rationale: PTSD can cause intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance,
hyperarousal, and negative changes in mood or cognition following trauma.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who is having a manic episode. Which statement
should the nurse make?
A. “You should participate in all available activities.”
B. “You need to make several important decisions today.”
C. “We will maintain a consistent daily schedule.”
D. “You should spend time in the dayroom with other clients.”
Answer: “We will maintain a consistent daily schedule.”
Rationale: A structured, predictable environment helps reduce stimulation and
promotes safety for clients experiencing mania.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Significantly low body weight
B. Excessive intake of food without distress
C. Persistent elevated blood pressure
D. Increased muscle mass
Answer: Significantly low body weight
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restriction of energy intake
resulting in significantly low body weight, along with disturbances in body
image or fear of weight gain.
Question 10
ATI Mental Health Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
___________________________________________________________________
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has major depressive disorder. Which finding
should the nurse identify as the priority?
A. Reports sleeping 10 hr each night
B. Reports decreased appetite
C. States, “My family would be better off without me.”
D. Reports difficulty concentrating
Answer: States, “My family would be better off without me.”
Rationale: This statement indicates possible suicidal ideation and requires
immediate assessment of suicide risk and implementation of safety precautions.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Encourage the client to discuss the cause of the anxiety
B. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements
C. Ask the client to identify coping mechanisms
D. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
,Answer: Remain with the client and use short, simple statements
Rationale: During severe anxiety or panic, the client has difficulty processing
information. Remaining with the client provides safety while simple
communication reduces stimulation.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and reports hearing voices.
Which response should the nurse make?
A. “The voices are not real.”
B. “Why do you think you are hearing voices?”
C. “I understand that you hear voices, but I do not hear them.”
D. “You should try to ignore the voices.”
Answer: “I understand that you hear voices, but I do not hear them.”
Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the client's experience without
validating the hallucination as reality.
Question 4
A client who has bipolar disorder is experiencing acute mania. Which intervention
is appropriate?
A. Provide a highly stimulating environment
B. Encourage lengthy group discussions
C. Provide frequent high-calorie finger foods
D. Encourage the client to take daytime naps
Answer: Provide frequent high-calorie finger foods
Rationale: Clients experiencing mania are often too distracted or active to sit for
meals. Portable, high-calorie foods help meet nutritional needs.
Question 5
,A nurse is assessing a client who has generalized anxiety disorder. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Excessive worry about multiple areas of life
B. Recurrent flashbacks of a traumatic event
C. Periods of elevated mood and grandiosity
D. Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
Answer: Excessive worry about multiple areas of life
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and
difficult-to-control worry about multiple activities or events.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder. Which
behavior is characteristic of this disorder?
A. Hearing voices commenting on behavior
B. Repeated handwashing because of fear of contamination
C. Avoiding all social interactions because of suspiciousness
D. Experiencing flashbacks after trauma
Answer: Repeated handwashing because of fear of contamination
Rationale: Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, while compulsions are repetitive
behaviors performed to reduce anxiety associated with those thoughts.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a client who has post-traumatic stress disorder. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Nightmares related to a traumatic event
B. Persistent elevated mood
C. Excessive need for sleep
D. Disorganized speech without trauma history
, Answer: Nightmares related to a traumatic event
Rationale: PTSD can cause intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance,
hyperarousal, and negative changes in mood or cognition following trauma.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who is having a manic episode. Which statement
should the nurse make?
A. “You should participate in all available activities.”
B. “You need to make several important decisions today.”
C. “We will maintain a consistent daily schedule.”
D. “You should spend time in the dayroom with other clients.”
Answer: “We will maintain a consistent daily schedule.”
Rationale: A structured, predictable environment helps reduce stimulation and
promotes safety for clients experiencing mania.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Significantly low body weight
B. Excessive intake of food without distress
C. Persistent elevated blood pressure
D. Increased muscle mass
Answer: Significantly low body weight
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restriction of energy intake
resulting in significantly low body weight, along with disturbances in body
image or fear of weight gain.
Question 10
